Raceday | Johnson could stretch his lead at Phoenix

3 THINGS TO WATCH

1. In 12 Cup starts at Phoenix, Jimmie Johnson has three wins, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. So, if he can avoid getting caught in someone else's mishap, like last weekend at Texas, he has an excellent chance to expand his points lead today.

2. As the season winds down, Kurt Busch seems the most likely candidate to break into the Hendrick Motorsports-dominated top three in points. Oddly enough, Busch's late season run, including a win last weekend at Texas, has come despite the fact he will lose crew chief Pat Tryson at season's end.

3. Martin Truex Jr. has started from the pole two previous times this season but didn't get a top-10 finish out of either. It would be good to see him end his tenure at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing on a positive note. Perhaps he can change his fortune today.

OBSERVATIONS

Interesting perspective by driver Juan Pablo Montoya on the amount of fan discontent with NASCAR competition this season. "To tell you the truth," Montoya said, "I think people that complain about a NASCAR race; they haven't watched any other motor racing." I think he has a point. But fans accustomed to seeing something they really enjoy, doesn't mean they can't be dissatisfied when it's not as good (or perceived not as good), even if it's still better than something else.

The reason I have never liked the Chase boils down to one simple concept: The potential influence someone not in the Chase has on the outcome of a championship. Whether Johnson has a championship season shouldn't be decided on whether Sam Hornish Jr. can keep his car in a straight line on the track.

Experience wouldn't suggest this, but his success hasn't been indicative of a lot of his performance this season. I'm going to make an early call: Look for Montoya to win the season finale at Homestead, Fla.

PICKS

JIM UTTER

He's won three of the past four at Phoenix and he's knocking on the door of his fourth straight title. I say, let him in.

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

BOB HENRY

Totally agree. Enough dithering, as they say. Let's move this thing beyond the awkward "foregone conclusion" stage.

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

NOTES

NASCAR drug testing policy ranks high

NASCAR’s drug testing policy got high marks from the Wall Street Journal, which examined anti-doping policies of 22 major sports or governing bodies.

Each was assigned a "clarity quotient" based on the existence of a policy, its accessibility to the public, the severity of sanctions for offenders and administration of the code, according to an article published Saturday. NASCAR’s policy received a 90 out of a top score of 100 – fifth among those examined.

“The independent WSJ study shows that the NASCAR substance-abuse policy is by far one of the strongest and most comprehensive programs in all of sports,” said NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston.

The WSJ noted NASCAR's prohibition of the use of any drugs that might cause a driver to “have a competitive advantage or diminished or impaired ability to perform” and offseason testing. Also cited were policies outlining indefinite suspension for any positive test result and those that offer competitors treatment options for seeking reinstatement.

The four sports/governing bodies that scored higher than NASCAR were the International Boxing Federation/U.S. Boxing Association, International Olympic Committee, International Tennis Federation and the International Association of Athletics Federations (track & field).

Driver Aaron Fike's arrest on heroin possession charges in 2007 forced a re-examination of NASCAR's former policy, which was less formal and stated simply that drivers suspected of using illegal drugs or abusing legal substances could be tested or banned.

Before the 2008 season began, the new policy and enforcement under its provisions were in place.

MWR signs extension with Toyota

Michael Waltrip Racing announced it has signed an extension with Toyota through 2012.

MWR launched its Cup team in 2007 with Toyota. Now in its third season, MWR drivers have won one race, three poles and driver David Reutimann came close to qualifying for the 12-driver Chase this season.

"Simply put, MWR would not exist without Toyota," said team co-owner and driver Michael Waltrip. "For MWR to know it has Toyota's support through the 2012 season is phenomenal and delivers our organization what every team in the garage desires - stability."

In 2010, MWR will field full-time teams for Reutimann and Truex and a part-time ride for Waltrip. In addition, MWR will maintain its alliance with JTG/Daugherty Racing, which fields a full-time team for Marcos Ambrose.

Newman's team adds sponsorships

Stewart-Haas Racing announced Friday the Army would return as a sponsor for Ryan Newman's No.39 Chevrolet for 15 races in 2010.

A day later, SHR announced it had a deal with Tornados to sponsor Newman's car for five races in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Bobby Labonte secures ride for 2010

Former Cup champion Bobby Labonte has agreed to drive full time next season for TRG Motorsports and Richard " Slugger" Labbe will remain as his crew chief.

Labonte has driven several races for the organization this season after he was replaced in Hall of Fame Racing's No.96 by Erik Darnell in many late-season races.

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